Tobacco flavoring agent

ABSTRACT

In a tobacco flavoring agent containing ascorbic acid, a salt or isomer thereof, a chlorophyll-containing material, and potassium nitrate, the maximum particle size of the potassium nitrate is set to 0.8 mm or less, making it possible to obtain a tobacco flavoring agent that lowers the tar or nicotine content of tobacco smoke, maintains a burning portion of tobacco in a stable state, and preserves its powdery state. This tobacco flavoring agent may be used by being deposited on the tips of cigarettes or other tobacco products, or by being mixed with shredded tobacco leaves.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a tobacco flavoring agent that softensthe unpleasant or irritating odor during smoking and provides a mildflavor by being deposited on tobacco during smoking.

BACKGROUND ART

The tar and nicotine contained in tobacco smoke determine the flavorintensity of tobacco, its irritancy, and the degree to which it isharmful. As used herein, the term “tobacco smoke” refers to both primaryand secondary smoke, and the term “flavor or the like” refers both tothe flavor or taste of the primary smoke inhaled directly by the smokerand to the secondary smoke inhaled by the people nearby.

In view of this, tobacco flavoring agents are commercially available forlowering the tar or nicotine content of tobacco smoke, whereby thenicotine smell or other unpleasant or irritating odors generated duringsmoking are softened, the flavor enjoyed by the smoker is improved, andthe impact on the people nearby is reduced.

Tobacco flavoring agents comprise powders that are deposited on the tipsof tobacco products during smoking and are allowed to burn together withthe tobacco. Components of such agents commonly include ascorbic acid,whose reducing action lowers the nicotine or tar content and softens theflavor, and comfrey powder for reducing the nicotine smell and softeningthe flavor through the action of chlorophyll. Further to improve thetaste, the components used sometimes include menthol to afford asensation of freshness, and vanillin to create a sweet aroma. Inaddition, potassium nitrate is used as a combustion aid to improve thelighting properties of tobacco.

A drawback of conventional tobacco flavoring agents, however, is thattobacco products on which such tobacco flavoring agents have beendeposited are apt to shed its burning portion during smoking. Anotherdrawback is that a tobacco flavoring agent, which is in powder formimmediately after having been manufactured, is compacted over time inthe container for accommodating such agents, making it impossible for asmoker to deposit an appropriate amount of the tobacco flavoring agenton the tip of a tobacco product.

An object of the present invention, which is aimed at overcoming theshortcomings of prior art and which relates to a tobacco flavoring agentfor reducing the tar or nicotine content of tobacco smoke, therebyreducing the nicotine smell and other unpleasant or irritating odorsduring smoking and improving the flavor, is to preserve the stablecondition of an agent deposited on a tobacco product while preventingthe product from shedding a burning portion of tobacco during smoking,and to preserve the stability of the powder properties while allowing anappropriate amount of the agent to be constantly deposited on thetobacco product. Another object is to provide a tobacco product in whichthis tobacco flavoring agent can be used in a more efficient manner.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The inventor perfected the tobacco flavoring agent of the presentinvention upon discovering that the shedding of a burning portion oftobacco during smoking can be prevented by using a prescribed maximumparticle size of the potassium nitrate used as a constituent componentof a tobacco flavoring agent and by using a prescribed maximum particlesize of the entire constituent powder of this tobacco flavoring agent,and that an appropriate amount of the tobacco flavoring agent can alwaysbe readily deposited on the tobacco because the powder properties arekept stable. The inventor also developed a tobacco product containingthe tobacco flavoring agent of the present invention upon discoveringthat, as a preferable embodiment of this tobacco flavoring agent, theeffect of the tobacco flavoring agent can be further enhanced by mixingthe tobacco flavoring agent with tobacco leaves and dispersing thecomponents rather than depositing the flavoring agent on the tip of thetobacco product.

That is, the present invention provides a tobacco flavoring agentcontaining ascorbic acid, a salt or isomer thereof, achlorophyll-containing material, and potassium nitrate, wherein thistobacco flavoring agent is characterized in that the maximum particlesize of potassium nitrate is 0.8 mm or less, and preferably 0.6 mm orless.

In particular, there is provided a product in which the maximum particlesize of the entire constituent powder of this tobacco flavoring agent is0.8 mm or less, and preferably 0.6 mm or less.

Also provided is a flavored tobacco obtained by admixing the tobaccoflavoring agent of the present invention into shredded tobacco leaves.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in detail.

The tobacco flavoring agent of the present invention contains ascorbicacid, a salt or isomer thereof, a chlorophyll-containing material, andpotassium nitrate.

Here, the ascorbic acid and the salts or isomers thereof are used toreduce the content of tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide in tobaccosmoke in the same manner as in the case of conventional tobaccoflavoring agents, thereby softening the nicotine smell and otherunpleasant or irritating odors during smoking. Examples of ascorbic acidand salts or isomers thereof include D- and L-ascorbic acids, sodiumsalts thereof, and other salts, of which L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) ispreferable for use.

The chlorophyll-containing materials are used in order to soften theunpleasant odor of tobacco, and particularly to eliminate the nicotinesmell and to soften the flavor, by the action of the chlorophyll.Various chlorophyll-containing powders or liquids can be used as suchchlorophyll-containing materials. It is possible to use comfrey,chlorella, chlorophyll, and the like in the form of powders, pastes, orliquids. Of these, comfrey powder is preferred because it improves theadhesion of the tobacco flavoring agent to the tobacco in addition toproviding excellent deodorization. In addition, chlorella powder ispreferred from the standpoint of color coordination and stability.

Potassium nitrate is used as a combustion aid for tobacco. Acharacteristic feature of the present invention is that a powder havinga maximum particle size of 0.8 mm or less is used as this potassiumnitrate. In conventional tobacco flavoring agents, no consideration isgiven to the effect of the particle size of potassium nitrate, and thepowder whose particle size varies considerably and is much greater than0.8 mm has been used as such potassium nitrate. When potassium nitratehaving such a particle size is used, a burning portion of tobacco isreadily shed during smoking from tobacco products on which the tobaccoflavoring agents have been deposited. In addition, an initially powderedtobacco flavoring agent is compacted over time in a storage container,making it difficult for a smoker to deposit an appropriate amount of thetobacco flavoring agent on the tip of a tobacco product. By contrast,using potassium nitrate whose maximum particle size is 0.8 mm or less(as in the present invention) makes it possible to stably maintain theburning portion of tobacco and to prevent the initially powdered tobaccoflavoring agent from becoming compacted over time.

The optimum particle size of potassium nitrate depends on the content ofpotassium nitrate in the tobacco flavoring agent and on otherparameters. Under common conditions, however, it is more preferable forthe maximum particle size to be kept at or below 0.6 mm. It is alsopreferable for the particle size distribution to be 40% “through” and60% “on” in the case of a 100-mesh sieve.

Thoroughly grinding down commercially available potassium nitrate in anagate mortar can be cited as an example of a method for adjusting themaximum particle size of potassium nitrate to 0.8 mm or less.

Various components may be admixed as needed into the tobacco flavoringagent of the present invention. For example, menthol, vanillin, and thelike can be admixed in order to afford a sensation of freshness or asweet aroma to the flavor. Stevia or the like can be admixed in order toimpart sweetness. Herbs or citrus (such as lemon) may also be admixed inorder to induce changes in the flavor. Fatty acids (stearic acid, oleicacid, and the like), boric acid, and the like can be admixed in order tofix volatile nicotine and to facilitate tar decomposition at hightemperatures. Malic acid, citric acid, or the like can be admixed inorder to facilitate the formation of nicotine organic acid salts, toreduce the amount of volatile free nicotine, to promote the conversionof nicotine to nicotinic acid during burning, and to soften theirritating odor during smoking. Lecithin or the like can be admixed inorder to improve powder properties. It is also possible to admixlactose, maltose, vegetable oils and fats, Chinese matrimony vine,glycyrrhizin, Sasa albo-marginata, licorice, Ganoderma lucidum Karst,arrowroot leaves, and various other components.

The ratios in which the components are admixed into the tobaccoflavoring agent can be appropriately set depending on the type,properties, and other parameters of the components being admixed. Underordinary conditions, the ascorbic acid or salts or isomers thereofshould be used preferably in an amount of 5-15 wt %, and more preferably8-10 wt %. When in the form of powders, the chlorophyll-containingmaterials should be used preferably in an amount of 10-20 wt %, and morepreferably 14-18 wt %. In addition, potassium nitrate should be usedpreferably in an amount of 3-8 wt %.

The tobacco flavoring agent of the present invention can be obtained asa powder by thoroughly mixing the components. In this case, the maximumparticle size of the entire constituent powder should be set preferablyto 0.8 mm or less, and more preferably 0.6 mm or less. This approachmakes it possible to better prevent a tobacco flavoring agent preparedin the form of a powder from becoming compacted over time in a containerfor accommodating such agents.

A powder which remains on a 40-mesh screen but passes through a 24-meshscreen (microsifter screen manufactured by Dalton) should be used in themethod for adjusting the particle size of the entire tobacco flavoringagent in such a manner.

The tobacco flavoring agent of the present invention is not subject toany particular limitations in terms of the manner in which this agent isused. Examples include cigarettes, shredded tobacco, and other tobaccoproducts.

In the specific example of a cigarette with one unit weight of about 1g, the tobacco flavoring agent is deposited in an amount of 1-50 mg, andpreferably 1-10 mg, on the lighting tip of the cigarette and burnedtogether with the cigarette, or the tobacco flavoring agent is admixedin an amount of 0.01-5 wt % into shredded tobacco leaves, a flavoredtobacco product in which the agent is dispersed throughout the entireproduct is prepared, and the product is used as shredded tobacco forcigarettes, pipes, traditional Japanese pipes, hand-rolled cigarettes,and the like.

The latter method is preferable for the use of tobacco flavoring agentsbecause of their more efficient utilization, and particularly because ofthe higher efficiency with which the nicotine content of tobacco smokeis reduced. Consequently, the present invention includes flavoredtobacco obtained by admixing the tobacco flavoring agent of the presentinvention into shredded tobacco leaves. Of flavored tobacco products,those in the form of cigarettes are preferred because the end user caneasily inhale tobacco smoke by performing operations identical to thoseperformed when handling conventional cigarettes devoid of tobaccoflavoring agents.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will now be described in detail on the basis ofits examples.

Working Example 1, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2

Components were mixed in the mixing ratios shown in Table 1, and theparticle size was adjusted with a sieve, yielding powdered tobaccoflavoring agents.

Evaluation

(1) Stability Test of Burning Tobacco

The tobacco flavoring agents of Working Example 1 and ComparativeExample 1 were each deposited in an amount of 6 mg on the tip of atobacco product (“Peace”), the tobacco product was lighted and smoked,and the stability with which the tobacco burned during smoking wasevaluated.

As a result, no burning portion of tobacco at all was shed from thesection extending over a distance of 4 cm from the tip of a tobaccoproduct on which the tobacco flavoring agent of Working Example 1 hadbeen deposited, whereas a burning portion of tobacco started to fall outduring the second puff in the case of a tobacco product on which thetobacco flavoring agent of Comparative Example 1 had been deposited.

(2) Stability Test of Powdered State

A container with an inside diameter of 1 cm and a height of 6 cm wasfilled with the tobacco flavoring agent of Working Example 1 orComparative Example 1 and left in a room without being closed with alid. A tobacco product (“Peace”) was inserted into the container after aprescribed time had elapsed, and an evaluation was conducted as towhether a prescribed amount (about 6 mg) of the tobacco flavoring agenthad deposited on the tip of the tobacco product.

The results indicated that whereas the tobacco flavoring agent ofWorking Example 1 had deposited in an adequate amount on the tobaccoproduct even after being stored for 1 year, the tobacco flavoring agentof Comparative Example 1 was difficult to deposit on the tobacco productafter being stored for 1 day (in rainy weather), and had compactedinside the container and could not be deposited on the tobacco productafter being stored for 1 year.

(3) Organoleptic Test of Flavor

The tobacco flavoring agents of Working Example 1 and ComparativeExample 1 were each deposited in an amount of 6 mg on the tip of atobacco product (“Peace”), the tobacco product was lighted, and theflavor was organoleptically evaluated. In addition, a tobacco product onwhich no tobacco flavoring agent had been deposited was lighted asComparative Example 2 (blank), and the flavor thereof wasorganoleptically evaluated. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.

(4) Measurement of Nicotinic Acid in Primary Smoke

Tobacco products were suctioned at a suctioning rate of about 3 minutesper cigarette from the side opposite the lighted side, and the nicotinicacid in the suctioned gas (primary smoke) was absorbed by a nicotinicacid absorbent solution (1 N sodium hydroxide) in cases in which thetobacco flavoring agents of Working Example 1 and Comparative Example 1were each deposited in an amount of 6 mg on the tips of tobacco products(“Peace”), and the tobacco products were lighted, and in a case in whicha tobacco product on which no tobacco flavoring agent had been depositedwas lighted as Comparative Example 2 (blank). Such nicotinic acidabsorption was performed for 20 tobacco products, and the nicotinic acidcontent of the nicotinic acid absorption solution was determined by thebioassay method according to the guidelines for food and sanitationinspection under the supervision of the Environmental Health Bureau ofthe Welfare Ministry.

The results are shown in Table 1. These results indicate that incomparison with the case (Comparative Example 2) in which smoking wasperformed without the use of a tobacco flavoring agent, the use of thetobacco flavoring agent of Working Example 1 had increased the contentof nicotinic acid in primary smoke by a factor of about 1.6, and thebiologically hazardous nicotine contained in the primary smoke had beenefficiently converted to nicotinic acid. In addition, a comparisonbetween the results of Working Example 1 and the results of ComparativeExample 1 indicates that the efficiency with which the tobacco flavoringagents converted nicotine to nicotinic acid did not change when theparticle size of the components constituting the tobacco flavoringagents was 0.6 mm or less.

(5) Measurement of Tar in Primary Smoke

Inhaled gas (primary smoke) was suctioned via a glass-fiber filter fromthe side opposite the lighted side and absorbed by an absorbent solutionin cases in which the tobacco flavoring agents of Working Example 1 andComparative Example 1 were each deposited in an amount of 6 mg on thetips of tobacco products (“Peace”), and the tobacco products werelighted, and in a case in which a tobacco product on which no tobaccoflavoring agent had been deposited was lighted as Comparative Example 2(blank). The glass-fiber filters were washed with the absorbent solutionwhen a section of tobacco extending over a distance of 1 cm from the tiphad been consumed, and when a section of tobacco extending over adistance of 1 to 4 cm from the tip had been consumed. The glass-fiberfilters were dried, and the increase in the weight of these glass-fiberfilters was termed the tar content.

The results are shown in Table 1. This table shows three tar contents;(i) the tar content resulting from the consumption of the sectionextending 1 cm from the tip, (ii) the tar content resulting from theconsumption of the section extending 1 to 4 cm from the tip, (iii) andthe combined tar content ((i)+(ii)).

The results indicate that using the tobacco flavoring agent of WorkingExample 1 reduced the tar content of primary smoke by about 20% incomparison with smoking in which no tobacco flavoring agents were used(Comparative Example 2). In addition, a comparison between the resultsof Working Example 1 and the results of Comparative Example 1 indicatesthat the efficiency with which the tobacco flavoring agents reduced thetar content of primary smoke did not change when the particle size ofthe components constituting the tobacco flavoring agents was 0.6 mm orless.

TABLE 1 (Unit: weight part) Working Comparative Comparative Example 1Example 1 Example 2 Ascorbic acid 0.5 0.5 Comfrey powder^(*1) 1.6 1.6Menthol 0.3 0.3 Vanillin^(*2) 0.8 0.8 Boric acid 0.6 0.6 Stearic acid1.4 1.4 Malic acid 0.5 0.5 Citric acid 1.0 1.0 Lactose 1.2 1.2Stevia^(*3) 0.5 0.5 Lecithin^(*4) 3.2 3.2 Potassium nitrate (maximum 0.40.4 particle size) (>0.6 mm) (<0.8 mm) Maximum particle size of >0.6 mm<0.8 mm tobacco flavoring agent Evaluation (1) Stability of burningStable Unstable tobacco (2) Stability of powdered Stable Prone to statecompaction (3) Flavor Mild sweet Mild sweet Strong flavor with flavorwith nicotine suppressed suppressed smell or nicotine nicotineirritating smell or smell or odor irritating irritating odor odor (4)Nicotinic acid content 755 755 475 (μg/20 cig) (5) Tar content (mg/cig)0.3, <0.1, 0.3, <0.1, 0.8, 0.6, 1 cm, 1-4 cm, total 0.3 0.3 1.4 Notes toTable 1 ^(*1)Comfrey powder, manufactured by Takasago Yakuhin KK^(*2)Vanillin, manufactured by Matsumoto Koryo KK ^(*3)Stevia,manufactured by Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd. ^(*4)Lecithin, manufactured byMaruki Honpo KK

Working Example 2

A tobacco flavoring agent was prepared in the same manner as in WorkingExample 1 except that the comfrey powder (manufactured by TakasagoYakuhin KK) used in the amount of 1.6 weight parts during thepreparation of the tobacco flavoring agents of Working Example 1 wasreplaced with 1.3 weight parts of a chlorella powder (manufactured byNihon Chlorella KK), yielding the tobacco flavoring agent of WorkingExample 2.

The tobacco flavoring agent of Working Example 2 was used in the samemanner as in Working Example 1 to evaluate the stability of burningtobacco, the stability of the powdery state, the flavor, the nicotinicacid content of primary smoke, and the tar content of primary smoke.According to the results, the tobacco flavoring agent of Working Example2 showed the stabilization of burning tobacco or powdery state in thesame manner as the tobacco flavoring agent of Working Example 1. Inaddition, the flavor was a mild, sweet flavor in which the nicotinesmell or irritating odor was suppressed in the same manner as in WorkingExample 1; the tar content was much lower than when smoking wasperformed without the use of a tobacco flavoring agent (ComparativeExample 2); and the content of nicotinic acid was higher.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The tobacco flavoring agent of the present invention lowers the contentof tar or nicotine in tobacco smoke, making it possible to soften thenicotine smell and other unpleasant or irritating odors during smokingand to maintain stability without allowing a burning portion of tobaccoto be shed from a tobacco product during smoking. In addition, anappropriate amount of the tobacco flavoring agent can be stablydeposited on a tobacco product because the powder properties of theflavoring agent itself are preserved.

Furthermore, the flavored tobacco of the present invention makes iteasier to smoke a tobacco in which the tobacco flavoring agent of thepresent invention is utilized with higher efficiency.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tobacco flavoring agent, comprising: ascorbicacid a salt of ascorbic acid or an isomer of ascorbic acid: achlorophyll-containing material; and potassium nitrate, wherein themaximum particle size of the potassium nitrate is 0.8 mm or less.
 2. Thetobacco flavoring agent according to claim 1, wherein the maximumparticle size of the potassium nitrate is 0.6 mm or less.
 3. The tobaccoflavoring agent according to claim 1, wherein the agent furthercomprises stearic acid or boric acid.
 4. The tobacco flavoring agentaccording to claim 1, wherein the agent further comprises citric acid ormalic acid.
 5. The tobacco flavoring agent according to claim 1, whereinthe agent further comprises menthol or vanillin.
 6. The tobaccoflavoring agent according to claim 1, wherein the agent furthercomprises the following components (a), (b), and (c): (a) Stearic acidor boric acid (b) Citric acid or malic acid (c) Menthol or vanillin. 7.The tobacco flavoring agent according to claim 1-6, wherein the maximumparticle size of the entire constituent powder of the tobacco flavoringagent is 0.8 mm or less.
 8. The tobacco flavoring agent according toclaim 7, wherein the maximum particle size of the entire constituentpowder of the tobacco flavoring agent is 0.6 mm or less.
 9. A flavoredtobacco, obtained by admixing a tobacco flavoring agent according toclaim 1 into shredded tobacco leaves.
 10. A cigarette, comprising theflavored tobacco according to claim 9.